Mrs. Doubtfire
Bushnell Center for Performing Arts
166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford
Through Oct. 8
The word “classic” gets thrown around a lot when referring to something outstanding from the past. Mrs. Doubtfire, the 1993 movie starring Robin Williams as an out-of-work actor who disguises himself as a woman housekeeper to see his kids, qualifies as one. It was one of my favorite movies as a kid, and it has only grown more hilarious and poignant as I’ve gotten older.
I already knew the musical adaptation that was coming to the Bushnell in Hartford was going to be great. Given the source material, how could it not be? I just didn’t know how great it was going to be. Mrs. Doubtfire is easily tied for my favorite theater experience ever. (In case you’re wondering, it’s tied with the Hartford Stage production of No Exit.)
Mrs. Doubtfire has some of the best music I’ve heard from a musical production. Brothers Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick provided the music and lyrics, while Ethan Popp provided music supervision, arrangements and orchestrations. The songs were the perfect blend of show tune-style pop catchiness and hip-hop inspired funk. I found myself involuntarily clapping along many times, and our little corner of the Bushnell was vibing to the music.
The choreography was amazing, too. Lorin Lattaro produced dance routines that were imaginative while still being grounded in the reality of a story about a divorce splitting up a family. There are so many musical and dance surprises in this production that I want to talk about, but I won’t spoil them. Just know that the music, choreography and script come together in some special ways.
But just as the original simply couldn’t have worked without the singular talent of Robin Williams, the weight of this massive production falls squarely on the shoulders of the lead, Rob McClure. And man does this guy knock it out of the park. He sings. He dances. He DJs. He does imitations. He captures the whimsy of Mrs. Doubtfire and the pain of Daniel Hillard. He raps. He improvises. He beatboxes. McClure was nominated for a Tony award for this performance, and I can absolutely see why.
The rest of the cast is strong as well. The ensemble plays off each other in ways that highlight the strengths of each other and the script. Aaron Kaburick (Daniel’s older brother Frank), Nik Alexander (Frank’s husband, Andre Mayem), and Romelda Teron Benjamin (Daniel’s case worker, Wanda Sellner) form a comedy trio that provides some of the night’s biggest laughs.
The play does a great job of capturing all the best lines and gags from the movie (“run-by fruiting” will always be one of my favorite jokes), but it also charts its own path, expanding on the film by adding new scenes and situations. I especially enjoyed the way that Daniel was expanded upon. His growth showed that “maturity” didn’t mean he couldn’t still have fun, but that he had to start considering the world from different perspectives. Whereas the movie was all about Daniel’s self-justified determination to see his kids no matter what, this version of Daniel eventually did begin to understand Miranda’s (played by McClure’s real-life wife, Maggie Lakis) point of view.
I cannot say enough good things about this musical. It’s at the Bushnell for only a few more days, so go see it. I highly doubt that you can find a better time this weekend.
Mrs. Doubtfire continues at the Bushnell through Sunday, October 8th.
NEXT: The Bushnell hosts Immersive Arts Fest on October 14th.
Jamil goes to a lecture series at the Old State House to learn more about Hartford’s ethnic heritage.
